I do not own any of the characters in Inuyasha. I promise that I am not planning any take-over of the company that does, even though that does sound l ike a good idea...cough what?

Scream in the Dark

Inuyasha jumped down, out of the tree. Panting slightly, he said, "I don't see anything. We'll just have to guess whish way he's heading."

"I'm tired,' complained Shippou. "I don't wanna go anywhere else today." The little kitsune gave a sigh and sat down.

"You little runt! You've done nothing but ride in Kagome's bike basket all day!" screamed Inuyasha, making a move as if to grab Shippou.

Coming out from behind a tree, Kagome gave a placid "sit!" and Inuyasha instantly did a face plant onto the grass. "Leave Shippou alone, I'm tired too."

"But Kagome, we can't lose him," Inuyasha continued whining. "He'll get away."

"Oh, hush. It's getting late, anyway. We'll have plenty of time tomorrow…plus, we can't exactly track anyone with precision in the dark," said Sango.

Miroku put a hand on the small of Sango's back. With a grin, he said, "We could all use some sleep, anyway." Turning towards Sango, he met her fist. Miroku fell to the ground, spread eagle and both eyes spinning.

Both Kagome and Sango gave Miroku their You pervert glare, and declared that they were gong to bathe. Miroku gave another of his smart comments, which gained him yet another bruise for the day.

Inuyasha looked down at him, shook his head, and sighed. "Women."

Kagome and Sango made their way to a tiny clearing, in the woods, which held a small hot spring, complete with a waterfall. In the failing light, they lit a lantern and placed it on a rock, along with their shoes, clothes, and bags.

Each made a sigh of relief as they slid into the warm water. Sango closed her eyes and put her head underneath the soft waves. "Ahh, I feel better already. A nice rest is really all everyone needs. Even Inuyasha. This should cool him down a bit."

"Sango, you've known Inuyasha a while, almost as long as me, and you think that all he needs is a good nights rest? Oh, please," Kagome said with a smirk.

"I suppose," Sango sighed, "but we can always dream."

The two girls giggled, and talked for a while more before each of them began relaxing, breathing in the steam from the spring.

Eventually, when the sun completely sank past the tree line, Sango stood up out of the water. "I need some sleep. I'm going to head back to the camp."

Kagome looked up while Sango dressed. "Alright, I'll be there in a few minutes." She turned back out into the spring, and as she heard Sango begin to pick her way through the brush, she yelled, "Be careful."

"Don't worry. It's only a few minutes away." Sango shouted back.

Twenty minutes later, Kagome made her way to the camp. When she arrived, she noticed that Sango wasn't there. She turned to Inuyasha, "Have you seen Sango?" she asked.

"No," said Inuyasha. "She left with you and that's the last time she was here."

"Why?" inquired Miroku.

"Well, she left the spring twenty minutes before I did. She should have been back by now." Kagome became suddenly worried. She had felt that the day would end in sorrow, but she did not think it would have been like that. "Let's go look for her. She can't be that far away."

Inuyasha, Miroku, Shippou, and Kagome all grouped together, and walked near to the trees. Suddenly, they heard a scream emanate from their left, in the vicinity of the middle of the forest.

Inuyasha jumped into the nearest tree, and Miroku dashed straight into the forest.

It was Sango's scream, and it was blood-curdling.